Thai$$berry-streetMon-Thu 11:00-21:30, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00, Sun 11:00-21:00
Thai Select on SW Loop 820 in Fort Worth is a neighbourhood Thai restaurant celebrated for consistent panang curry and pad see ew served at fair lunch prices.
Order: Pad see ew, panang curry with beef, sticky rice mango dessert.
Tip: Lunch specials 11:00-15:00 include soup and a spring roll with every entree. The pad see ew is the kitchen's most consistent dish.
Mexican$stockyardsMon-Sun 06:30-19:00
Esperanza's on N Main St in Fort Worth is a family-run Mexican bakery-cafe serving fresh house-baked pan dulce and breakfast tacos from 06:30 every day.
Order: Huevos rancheros, pan dulce from the in-house bakery, breakfast tacos with chorizo.
Tip: Fresh pan dulce comes out from 06:30. Arrive early for the widest sweet-bread selection. Breakfast tacos sell fast on weekday mornings.
Texas Bbq$$cultural-districtSun-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00
Heim Barbecue in Fort Worth serves celebrated bacon burnt ends and slow-smoked brisket from a full bar and dining room on White Settlement Road.
Order: Bacon burnt ends, beef brisket by the pound, smoked jalapeño cheddar sausage.
Tip: Happy hour runs Monday through Friday 14:00-18:00. Go early on weekends for the best cut selection.
Texas Bbq$$near-northsideFri-Sun 11:00-15:00
Goldee's Barbecue in Fort Worth is a Michelin-recognised pitmaster destination open only Friday through Sunday, and sells out early most days.
Order: Brisket, pork ribs, house-made sausage links, banana pudding.
Tip: Arrive at opening or call ahead. They sell out most Fridays by 13:00 and do not restock once the pit is empty.
Texas Bbq$$south-mainWed-Sun 11:00-20:00
Panther City BBQ in Fort Worth is a Michelin-listed neighbourhood smokehouse celebrated for its creative brisket tacos and sausage programme.
Order: Smoked brisket tacos, chorizo sausage, peach cobbler.
Tip: The bar stays open until midnight Wednesday through Sunday. Try the smoked beef tallow fries alongside the brisket.
Tex-Mex$$stockyardsMon-Thu 11:00-14:30, Mon-Thu 17:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00, Sun 11:00-22:00
Joe T. Garcia's is a Fort Worth institution at 2201 N Commerce St, famous for its sprawling garden patio and cash-only frozen margaritas since 1935.
Order: Beef fajitas, frozen margaritas, house enchiladas with red sauce.
Tip: Cash only, no credit cards accepted. The menu is set: enchiladas or fajitas. Arrive early on Fridays as the patio fills fast.